Manchester Collective channel rhythm, voice and embodiment in a bold experimental programme at Aviva Studios

On Tue 30 Jun, Manchester Collective return to Aviva Studios with an evening of contemporary experimental music that imagines the physical body at the core of sound, uniting three titans of sonic innovation whose work reshapes the boundaries of genre and form.

Rooted in rhythm, breath and physical presence, the programme explores music as a visceral, grounding experience that draws on the body as both instrument and creative source, from the vibrations of vocal cords to the pulse of a heartbeat.

At its core is the music of Meredith Monk, a towering figure in contemporary performance whose influence extends far beyond classical tradition. Known for her extraordinary vocal techniques and interdisciplinary practice spanning choreography, film and theatre, Monk’s work defies easy categorisation. Here, Manchester Collective perform Backlight, a rare instrumental piece that flickers with her distinctive sense of movement and texture.

The evening also features a new commission by composer and saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi, whose work is shaped by improvisation, collaboration and a deep engagement with Black cultural expression. Moving fluidly between London’s jazz scene and Berlin’s experimental spaces, as well as composing for stages including Shakespeare’s Globe, Kinoshi brings a rich and dynamic musical language to this latest piece for mixed ensemble.

Completing the programme is Cassandra Miller’s Perfect Offering, a work that emerges from a place of stillness and introspection. Written during a period of illness, it reflects on time, endurance and the inner resonance of meditative singing, drawing listeners into a quietly transformative sonic space.

Together, these works form a vivid and embodied listening experience, where sound becomes physical, expressive and profoundly human.